Mid Century Modern Design: An Era Revisited

Mid Century Modern design has made a heck of a comeback in recent years. People are once again embracing it’s functional and straightforward nature, and for good reason. It’s a gorgeous design style that has continued to stand the test of time for the better part of a century.

ORIGINS

Mid Century Modern (also known as MCM) is a subset of modern design that is unique to the mid 20th century. It evolved in a post WWII environment when designers and their clients were looking to switch things up and develop new ideas that rebelled against the pre-war traditional style. People were in need of a fresh start and were eager to get away from the frilly and ornate traditional style that defined pre war times. They were ready to put the past behind them and wanted their homes to reflect that.

COLORS & TEXTURES

MCM design embraces warm, sometimes dark earth tones mixed with bold accent colors. Black, brown, and tan are popular choices for the basis of the color scheme. Add in a bold orange or olive green accent to complete the look.

Here is an example of a MCM color palette:

When it comes to fabrics and textures, vinyl and leather grew in popularity during this time, as well as velvet and chenille. A trademark of the MCM style is to mix and match organic and synthetic materials to create contrast and visual interest.

FURNITURE & DECOR

Simply put, MCM furniture emphasizes function over ornament. Pieces are often multi-use, which may be one facet of the style that is so appealing in modern times. More and more people are creating multi-use spaces that can handle many uses and activities. MCM furniture can go from having clean, straight lines to more unique organic and geometric shapes. One of the most popular items from the MCM era is the Eames chair. This chair was meant to be a modern take on a 19th century English club chair and has been a sort of icon in the furniture industry for more than 50 years. It’s stylish and comfortable, and can set you back about $7,000.

Furniture pieces like round sofas and asymmetrical shaped tables are also quintessential to the MCM style. Mixing the two looks creates a fun and interesting space while keeping with the more functional and straightforward vibe MCM is known for. Bring the outside in with lots of plants and large, open windows with minimal treatments. Use woods such as teak, rosewood and oak while mixing in items in metal, glass, and marble. Keep trinkets to a minimum and avoid clutter at all costs.

KITCHEN & BATH

MCM kitchens and baths usually feature a lot of medium toned wood cabinets that have little to no detail on the doors. Brass light fixtures are another great way to lean into the style without going too far. You can also use contrasting shapes; blend straight lined cabinetry with curved tables, chairs and decor to create quintessential Mid-Century visuals.

Here are a few examples of the Mid-Century style in kitchens and bathrooms.

The MCM design style is gorgeous and simple, and is sure to make your home look and feel fantastic. However, as is true with so many facets of life, too much of a good thing can be bad. We recommend choosing a statement piece or two and mixing in more modern elements. The goal is to avoid making your home look like a museum from the 50’s and 60’s. Like many other design styles, MCM can lean in a few different directions. You can take it to a more transitional style, or more contemporary. The reason is that all of those styles embrace clean lines and prioritize function over ornament. Keep those things in mind and you’re sure to succeed in creating a gorgeous mid-century space!